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Productivity rises 10 per cent in lightning season
A
National Lightning Safety Institute (NLSI) product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Jan 13, 2006
A recent study for Barrick Gold Corporation's Pierina and Lagunas Norte gold mines has resulted in an increase in daily productivity of almost 10 per cent during the lightning season.
A recent study for Barrick Gold Corporation's Pierina and Lagunas Norte gold mines has resulted in an increase in daily productivity of almost 10 per cent during the lightning season.
The lightning safety assessment, performed by the National Lightning Safety Institute (NLSI) Louisville Colorado, USA, addressed two subjects.
First, 'people safety' issues disclosed vulnerabilities at refueling centres and guard shacks, as well as in administrative, laboratory and maintenance buildings.
Upgraded protection designs have significantly reduced risks for personnel at these facilities.
Next, and prior to the NLSI study, the operation of Reed drills and large loaders and haulers often were interrupted by close-in lightning.
NLSI ascertained it was safe, under most circumstances, for these key operations to continue even under direct threat of lightning.
Senior Barrick engineers then attended a two-day lightning safety workshop in Albuquerque NM where the principles of lightning protection were discussed.
The course curriculum included such topics as air terminal designs, surge protection, bonding, grounding and shielding as well as personal safety.
NLSI arranged factory tours at three vendors of lightning detection equipment so that Barrick personnel could study first-hand the relative merits of competing products.
An improved lightning detection system was then installed at the mine site.
It provides more accurate threat recognition and longer lead times for the evacuation of outdoor workers to safe locations.
NLSI returned to the mine to verify compliance with safety recommendations.
NLSI also assisted in revision of written lightning warning policies and procedures with Barrick ES and H management in the light of these new developments.
More information is available via NLSI's website.
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